David Edelstein is an AV Peer Review Rated criminal defense attorney
representing clients in state and federal criminal matters across the State of Florida.

Case Nos. F0X0078XX and F0X0062XX - Argentine national traveling under a business visa was arrested two times in two weeks for grand theft (shoplifting), facing 10 years in state prison, de facto pretrial detention, and deportation. First, Mr. Edelstein persuaded the judge to release his client by granting her bail, despite the fact that she was arrested for grand theft while already out on bail for the first case. Mr. Edelstein was then able to convince the state attorney's office not to file charges in either case. Result: Client avoids 10 years in prison, a felony conviction, and deportation.

Case No. 0X-CR-204XX - Client arrested off the coast of Florida attempting to smuggle 16 Brazilian nationals into the United States, charged in 33 count federal indictment with alien smuggling for commercial gain. Under the indictment, Client faced 15 years in federal prison. In plea negotiations, Mr. Edelstein was able to convince the prosecutor to dismiss 29 of the counts and then successfully convinced the judge to sentence his client to the minimum sentence required by law. Result: Client avoids 15 years in federal prison.

Case No. F0X0386XX - Client arrested for strong arm robbery and battery against his girlfriend after taking back a purse he had purchased for her as a gift, facing 15 years in state prison. After Mr. Edelstein presented the true facts to the prosecutor, the state attorney declined to file charges. Result: Client avoids prison and a felony record.

Case No. 0X-CR-200XX - Client charged with reentry after deportation for an aggravated felony, facing 20 years in federal prison. Mr. Edelstein zealously advocated for a below guidelines sentence based upon his client's extensive ties to the United States and family history. Result: Client receives credit time served.

Case No. 0X-CF-0136XX - Client arrested for organized fraud after attempting to sell a $3.5 million dollar commission based upon a fraudulent bond. Mr. Edelstein convinced the state attorney to file third degree grand theft charges and ultimately offer his client a withhold of adjudication and two years probation. Result: Client avoids prison and a felony record.

Case No. 0X013429CFXX - Colombian national arrested and charged with aggravated stalking, facing five years in prison and deportation. After forcing the Broward County State Attorney's Office to trial, Mr. Edelstein was able to extract a plea deal whereby his client received a withhold of adjudication to the amended charge of disorderly conduct. Result: Client avoids a criminal conviction, prison, and deportation.

Case No. F0X0376XX - Client arrested for throwing a deadly missile, aggravated assault of a law enforcement officer, aggravated assault, and two counts of felony criminal mischief. The police arrested Mr. Edelstein's client over one year after the incident occurred based on purely circumstantial evidence. Mr. Edelstein persuaded the assistant state attorney that there was insufficient evidence to file charges. Result: all charges are dropped at arraignment.

Case No. F0X315XX - Law student arrested for aggravated battery of live-in girlfriend, facing up to 15 years in prison. Attorney Edelstein successfully lobbied the state attorney's office not to file criminal charges against his client. Result: Client avoids criminal charges and possible expulsion from law school.

Case No. 0X-CR-205XX - Peruvian national arrested at Miami International Airport for not reporting over $90,000 to federal customs officials. Client charged with bulk cash smuggling as well as three counts of false statements, facing 12 to 18 months in federal prison. Mr. Edelstein successfully convinced a federal judge not to follow the federal sentencing guidelines and to give his client probation. Result: Client avoids prison and is placed on probation.

Case No. 0X0009XXCF10A - Client arrested and charged with drug trafficking, facing a 25 year minimum mandatory sentence in state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinced assistant state attorney to offer his client community control and probation. Result: Client avoids prison.

Case No.F0X309XX - Client arrested at Miami International Airport for allegedly making a false report of a bomb on a plane, facing 15 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinced the State Attorney's Office not file charges arguing that the whole incident was an overreaction by airport officials. Result: charges dropped.

Case No.F9X0203XX - Long time permanent resident faced deportation as a result of criminal convictions for possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, and unlawful possession of cannabis. After filing a motion for post conviction relief, Mr. Edelstein convinced the State Attorney's Office to stipulate allowing the judge to vacate all of the judgments, convictions, and sentences. Result: Client avoids deporation.

Case No.81X3XXX - Client arrested for DUI in Miami Beach after blowing above the legal limit, facing 6 months in the Miami-Dade County Jail. Mr. Edelstein forced the case to trial. Result: charges dropped.

Case No.F0X00953XX - Client arrested for possession with intent of new or legend drugs and practicing healthcare without a license, facing 10 years in state prison. Attorney Edelstein convinced prosecutor to drop the possession charge and allow his client participate in a diversion program. Result: upon successful completion of program, Client will avoid prison and a felony conviction.

Case No. F0X0121XX - Bangladeshi national arrested on multiple drug charges in Miami Beach, facing 8 years incarceration. Mr. Edelstein lobbied the state attorney's office to not file charges in the case based upon the circumstances. Result: no charges filed by the state attorney's office.

Case No. M0X0014XX - Client with no priors charged with domestic violence against his girlfriend, facing one year in the county jail. Mr. Edelstein set the case for trial forcing the state attorney to drop the charges.

Case No. B0X0712XX - Tourist arrested for possession of marijuana, facing one year in the county jail. Attorney Edelstein persuaded the judge to dismiss the case based on a technicality.

Case No. B0X0126XX - Colombian national arrested at a South Beach nightclub for resisting an officer without violence and disorderly intoxication. Attorney Edelstein successfully convinced prosecutor to allow his client participate in the pretrial diversion program. Result: dismissal of the charges upon successful completion.

Case No. 0X-CR-20XX - Client charged in federal court with conspiracy to possess cocaine with intent to distribute after attempting to purchase a large amount of drugs from undercover agents with approximately $100,000 in cash, facing life in prison. Mr. Edelstein successfully convinced the judge to sentence his client to the minimum sentence required by law. Result: Client avoids life imprisonment.

Case No. B0X0389XX - Brazilian national arrested at a club in South Beach for trespassing after warning. Attorney Edelstein successfully convinced prosecutor to allow his client participate in the pretrial diversion program. Result: charges dismissed.

Case No. F0X0094XX - Client charged with contracting without a license and grand theft in the third degree, facing 5 years in prison. Attorney Edelstein successfully convinced prosecutor to allow his client participate in the pretrial diversion program. Result: dismisal of the charges upon successful completion.

Case No. F0X0043XX - Client arrested in Miami Beach for possession of over 20 grams of marijuana and cocaine, facing 10 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinced the prosecutor not file charges in the case. Result: charges dropped.

Case No. F060322XX - Client arrested for crime of cocaine possession on South Beach after officer allegedly sees him engage in a hand to hand drug transaction with a drug dealer. Client faced 5 years in prison. Attorney Edelstein encouraged the prosecutor to look at conflicts and inconsistencies in the officer's story leading the state attorney to no action the case. Result: charges not filed.

Case No. B0X0023XX - Tourist client charged with disorderly intoxication at South Beach nightclub. Mr. Edelstein diverts her case from the court system resulting in a dismissal of the charges. Result: charges dropped.

Case No. M0X0018XX - Client charged with domestic violence against his girlfriend, facing one year in the county jail. Attorney Edelstein set the case for trial forcing the state attorney to dismiss the case. Result: case dismissed.

Case No. B0X0181XX - Tourist charged with battery and resisting an officer without violence. Mr. Edelstein gets client into a diversion program resulting in a dismisal of the charges upon successful completion. Result: Client avoids jail and a criminal record.

Case Nos. F0X0XX/F050001XX - Client charged in two separate cases with grand theft in the third degree, facing 10 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein arranges for his client to participate in the pre-trial diversion program on both cases. Result: both felony cases dropped after completion of program.

Case No. F0X0440XX - Client arrested and charged with aggravated assault by Miami Beach Police for allegedly threatening a person by running them over with his vehicle, facing 5 years in prison. Mr. Edelstein successfully negotiated for his client to participate in a diversion program which will result in the dismissal of all charges upon successful completion. Result: Client avoids prison and a felony conviction.

Case No. F060131XX - Client charged with crimes of witness tampering and battery, facing 6 years in prison. Mr. Edelstein set the case for trial forcing the State Attorney to voluntarily dismiss the charges. Result: case dropped.

Case No. B0X0623XX - South Beach tourist charged with crimes of disorderly intoxication and resisting an officer without violence, one year and sixty days in the Dade County Jail. Mr. Edelstein set the case for trial. Result: charges dropped.

Case No. B0X0680XX - Foreign national on vacation in Miami Beach arrested and charged with disorderly conduct, facing 60 days in jail and future denial of travel visa to return to the United States. Attorney Edelstein arranged for the prosecutor to drop the charges in exchange for a donation to charity.

Case No. F0X0118XX - Client arrested in Miami Beach for aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and carrying a concealed firearm, facing 10 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein successfully persuaded the prosecutor to dismiss the charges. Result: case dropped.

Case No.0X0103XXCF10A - Client charged with armed sexual battery, aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, and, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon. Client faced a 25 year minimum mandatory sentence and life imprisonment if convicted. Mr. Edelstein convinced the jury to acquit his client of the most serious charges. Result: Client serves 5 years in prison instead of the rest of his life.

Case No. F0X0007XX - Client arrested and charged with sexual battery facing 15 years in state prison and indefinite civil commitment under the Jimmy Ryce Act. Despite the fact that the Client gave police a taped statement admitting to improperly touching the victim, Mr. Edelstein was nevertheless able to convince the prosecutor that there were serious problems with the state's case. As a result, Client was able to plead to the lesser charge of felony battery and placed on probation without a conviction. Result: Client avoids prison, a felony conviction, lifetime designation as a sexual predator, and possible indefinite civil commitment in the future.

Case No.0X-CR-80209 - Client charged in federal court for illegal importation of 1,000 Russian semi-automatic pistols, tax evasion, obstruction of justice, and making false statements. Client faced 50 years in federal prison. Mr. Edelstein first conviced the prosecutor to dismiss three of the charges, then persuaded the judge to sentence his client below the sentencing guidelines resulting in a sentence of 2 1/2 years in federal prison. Result: Client avoids spending the rest of his life in federal prison.

Case No. F0X031076 - Client arrested for leaving the scene of an accident with injuries, facting 5 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein pushed the case to trial forcing the State Attorney to announce a nolle pros. Result: case dropped.

Case No. F0X0127XX - Client arrested for presenting fraudulent insurance card to police, facing 5 years state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinced the State Attorney's Office to drop the charges. Result: no action taken by the State Attorney.

Case No. F0X0094XX - Client arrested on three felony drug charges facing up to 35 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein successfully convinced the prosecutor to reduce the charges and allow client to participate in drug diversion program. Result: upon successful completion of program, charges dismissed.

Case No. J0X11XX - Juvenile client charged with sale of drugs on school grounds, facing 15 years state prison and criminal record. Mr. Edelstein convinced the assistant state attorney to reduce the charges to simple misdemeanor possession charge. Result: No jail, conviction, or felony record.

Case No. F0X0184XX - Correctional officer arrested and charged with sexual battery after impregnating an inmate, facing 30 years in Florida State Prison. DNA evidence established that the Client was the baby's father. Mr. Edelstein was able to negotiate a below guidelines sentence with the prosecutor resulting in the Client serving 18 months. Result: Client avoids a significant term of imprisonment in a case where there was no defense.

Case No. F0X0039XX - Client arrested for aggravated battery, facing 15 years state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinced the State Attorney's Office to drop the charges. Result: no action taken by the State Attorney.

Case No. 2501XX-W - Client charged with DUI, facing 6 months in the Dade County Jail. Mr. Edelstein goes to trial and court returns a verdict of not guilty. Result: acquitted at trial.

Case No. 50836XX - Client arrested for second DUI, facing one year in the county jail. Mr. Edelstein successfully argues for a reduction of charges allowing client to plead to reckless driving. Result: client avoids conviction for DUI, jail, and license suspension.

Case No. 50867XX - Client charged with DUI, facing 6 months in county jail, DUI conviction, and license suspension. Mr. Edelstein successfully convinces State Attorney's Office to drop the DUI charge. Result: client avoids DUI conviction, jail, and license suspension.

Case No. F0X0130XX - Client charged with two felony counts of battery on a law enforcement officer and one felony count resisting arrest with violence, facing 15 years in state prison. Result: State Attorney drops all charges.

Case No. F0X391XX - Client arrested and charged with possession with intent to sell marijuana. Mr. Edelstein filed a motion suppress based upon an illegal search and seizure. Result: State Attorney agrees to drop charges.

Case No. F050010XX - Client charged with felony child abuse. Result: State attorney abandons all charges.

Case No. F0X0063XX - Client arrested for cocaine possession, facing 5 years state prison. Mr. Edelstein persuades State Attorney not to file charges. Result: no action taken by State Attorney.

Case No. F0X0245XX - Client arrested and charged with the felony of impersonating a police officer, facing 5 years state prison. Result: State Attorney drops all charges.

Case No. F0X0306XX - Client arrested for aggravated battery, facing 15 years state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinces State Attorney's Office that his client was the victim. Result: no charges filed by the State Attorney.

Case No. F0X0083XX - Client arrested for kidnapping, facing 30 years in state prison. Result: State Attorney abandons all charges.

Case No. F0X0319XX - Client arrested for grand theft in the third degree, facing 5 years state prison. Result: no charges filed by the State Attorney.

Case Nos. F0X0376XX and F050376XX - Merchants charged with 24 counts of alcohol, licensing, and gambling offense. Mr. Edelstein convinces State Attorney's Office to drop all 24 charges. Result: no action taken by State Attorney.

Case No. F0X0341XX - Client arrest for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, facing 15 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinces State Attorney's Office that client was actually defending himself. Result: no charges filed by State Attorney.

Case No. F0X0120XX - Client arrested for cocaine possession and possession of drug paraphernalia, facing 6 years state prison. Result: no charges filed by the State Attorney.

Case Nos. F050000XX and F050000XX - Clients arrested for felony shoplifting and use of anti-shoplifting device, facing 10 years state prison. Result: State Attorney declines to file charges.

Case No. 05CR201XX - Client charged in federal court with wire fraud and money laundering after embezzling over a quarter of a million dollars from a large multi-national corporation, facing 30 years in federal prison. Result: Mr. Edelstein successfully persuades judge to downwardly depart from the federal sentencing guidelines resulting in an 18 month sentence.

Case No. 0X0143XXMM10A - Client charged with battery, facing one year in the Broward County Jail. Mr. Edelstein convinces jury that victim fabricated charges against his client. Result: jury finds client not guilty.

Case No. F0X0386XX - Client charged with grand theft auto. Result: State Attorney drops charges.

Case No. F0X0202XX - Client charged with possession of false driver license, facing 5 years state prison. Result: State Attorney drops charges.

Case No. F0X0XX - Client arrested for the felony of unlawful interception of communication, resisting an officer without violence, and battery. First, Mr. Edelstein convinced the State Attorney's Office not to file the felony charge. He then proceeded to jury trial winning an acquittal on all remaining counts. Result: acquitted by jury.

Case No. F0X381XX - Client arrested for grand theft, facing 5 years state prison. Mr. Edelstein convinces State Attorney's Office not to file charges. Result: no action taken by the State Attorney.

Case No. F0X0157XX - Client charged with burglary with a battery, facing life in prison with a minimum mandatory of 30 years if convicted. Mr. Edelstein successfully convinces jury to convict client of the lesser included offense of misdemeanor trespass. Result: client serves 60 days in jail instead of life in prison.

Case No. F0X0185XX - Client charged with aggravated battery against a pregnant woman, facing 15 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein sets the case for trial forcing the State Attorney to drop the charges. Result: State Attorney abandons all charges.

Case No. F0X0185XX - Client was an assistant manager at a restaurant and charged by police of embezzling thousands of dollars. Charged with grand theft facing 5 years in state prison. Mr. Edelstein successfully convinces jury that client is not guilty. Result: acquittal on all charges.

Case No. 0X-M-27XX - Client falsely arrested by U.S. Marshals mistaking her for a drug dealer from Texas. Mr. Edelstein convinces federal prosecutor in Dallas to immediately release his client. Result: case dismissed.